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“The press only has one side of the story.”
“And the other side?”
“Isn’t quite as commendable. In fact, it’s something I need to seek your guidance on.”
“Take me through your concerns slowly, and don’t leave anything out,” said his father, as he sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, as he always did during a consultation.
“While I was in the slaughter—”
“Slaughter?”
“Boiler room, drugs factory … I came across three sports bags filled with cash—hundreds, possibly thousands, of pounds. By the time I got back to the Yard, there were only two.”
“And you think you know who removed the third bag?”
“I’m in no doubt who did. But I can’t prove it.”
“Can’t have been anyone particularly bright, that’s for sure,” said Sir Julian.
“What makes you say that?”
“It would have been more sensible to have taken the same amount of cash from each of the three bags, then no one would have been any the wiser.”
“You even think like a criminal.”
“I’m a QC,” said Sir Julian, “a Qualified Criminal. But tell me, did you leave the bags where they were?”
“Yes, I did,” said William.
“Then why did you leave the boiler room?” asked Sir Julian, his eyes remaining closed.
“Superintendent Lamont ordered me to report to the commander, who was overseeing the operation from the top of the bus. Told me it was urgent.”
“And it wasn’t?”
“No. In fact, the Hawk wasn’t pleased that I’d left the crime scene without his permission.”
“Circumstantial at best. If that’s all you’ve got to go on, you should give Lamont the benefit of the doubt. However, I can see your dilemma. Do you tell Commander Hawksby that you suspect a senior officer of stealing a large sum of money from a crime scene?” He still didn’t open his eyes. “If I recall correctly, Superintendent Lamont is due to retire in a few months’ time.”
“Yes, but what difference does that make? If there’s one thing worse than a professional criminal, to quote the Hawk, it’s a bent copper.”
“I agree with him. But I do like to know all the facts before I pass judgment.”
William pursed his lips.
“Has Lamont ever come under investigation before?”
“Once, many years ago. But since then he’s received three commendations.”
“Ah, yes, I remember he turned a blind eye when he was a young sergeant. And now you’re wondering if you should do the same.”
William was about to protest when Sir Julian added, “How do you get on with Lamont?”
“Not that well,” admitted William.
“Which only adds to the problem, because if you were to report a senior officer for such a serious offense, it would have to be investigated at the highest level, although I suspect Lamont would resign before a disciplinary hearing was held—if he was found guilty, he would undoubtedly be dismissed from the force, lose his pension, and might even end up serving a prison sentence.”
“I’ve already considered that, and I realize turning a blind eye would be the easy way out.”
